Immediate Family

About Christopher Ellery

Christopher Ellery (November 1, 1768 – December 2, 1840) was a United States Senator from Rhode Island. Born in Newport, he graduated from Yale College in 1787, studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Newport. He was clerk of the superior court of Newport County from 1794 to 1798.

Ellery was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ray Greene and served from May 6, 1801, to March 4, 1805. He was defeated for reelection in 1804 by James Fenner, the son of the Governor. Ellery was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson as United States commissioner of loans at Providence in 1806, and was appointed collector of customs at Newport, succeeding his uncle, holding that office from 1820 to 1834. He died in Middletown in 1840; interment was in Island Cemetery, Newport.

Christopher Ellery was a nephew of William Ellery, a Continental Congressman from Rhode Island.